Fishing in the Cariboo & Chilcotin
Thousands of rainbow trout lakes, Fraser River headwaters, and remote wilderness fishing in BC's central interior.
1. Horsefly River (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Sockeye Salmon, Steelhead)
Horsefly areaThe Horsefly River is famous for its large sockeye salmon runs. The river also offers rainbow trout and steelhead fishing in the Cariboo region.
2. Quesnel Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Quesnel areaQuesnel Lake is the deepest fjord lake in the world and offers trophy rainbow trout, lake trout, and kokanee fishing.
3. Quesnel River (Rainbow Trout)
QuesnelThe Quesnel River offers rainbow trout and salmon fishing flowing from Quesnel Lake to the Fraser River.
4. Chilko Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Chilcotin regionChilko Lake offers large rainbow trout and lake trout in a remote, stunning setting. The lake is one of BC's premier fly-in trout destinations.
5. Chilcotin River (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead)
Chilcotin regionThe Chilcotin River offers rainbow trout, steelhead, and salmon fishing in the remote Chilcotin Plateau.
6. Fraser River (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Sockeye Salmon)
Prince George areaThe upper Fraser River offers rainbow trout, bull trout, and salmon fishing in the central interior.
7. Nechako River (Rainbow Trout)
Vanderhoof areaThe Nechako River offers excellent rainbow trout and sturgeon fishing. The river is known for large rainbow trout.
8. Stuart Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Fort St. James areaStuart Lake offers rainbow trout, lake trout, and kokanee fishing in the northern Cariboo.
9. Trembleur Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Fort St. James areaTrembleur Lake offers excellent rainbow trout and lake trout fishing in the Stuart River system.
10. Takla Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
North of Fort St. JamesTakla Lake offers rainbow trout, lake trout, and Dolly Varden fishing in a remote northern setting.
11. Dease Lake (Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Northern BCDease Lake offers lake trout, Arctic grayling, and rainbow trout fishing in far northern BC.
12. Tatlayoko Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Chilcotin regionTatlayoko Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in a stunning setting at the head of the Homathko River.
13. Nazko Lakes (Rainbow Trout)
West of QuesnelThe Nazko Lakes offer excellent rainbow trout fishing in the Cariboo region. These small lakes are known for producing quality fish.
14. Bowron Lakes (Rainbow Trout)
Bowron Lake ParkThe Bowron Lake canoe circuit offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in a world-famous canoeing destination.
15. Barkerville Area Streams (Rainbow Trout)
BarkervilleThe streams near historic Barkerville offer rainbow trout fishing in the Cariboo gold rush region.
16. Williston Lake (Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Near MackenzieWilliston Lake is one of the largest reservoirs in North America, created by the Bennett Dam on the Peace River. The lake offers excellent rainbow trout, lake trout, and Arctic grayling fishing in the northern Rocky Mountain Trench.
17. Peace River (Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Near Hudson's HopeThe upper Peace River offers excellent rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and bull trout fishing below the Bennett Dam. The river's cold, clear waters provide excellent habitat.
18. Williams Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Williams Lake areaWilliams Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the central Cariboo. The lake is a popular family destination.
19. Lac La Hache (Rainbow Trout)
100 Mile House areaLac La Hache offers excellent rainbow trout fishing in the South Cariboo.
20. Ruth Lake (Rainbow Trout)
100 Mile House areaRuth Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the South Cariboo.
21. Canim Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
100 Mile House areaCanim Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and lake trout fishing in the Cariboo.
22. Horse Lake (Rainbow Trout)
100 Mile House areaHorse Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Cariboo region.
23. Bridge Lake (Rainbow Trout)
100 Mile House areaBridge Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Interlakes region of the Cariboo.
24. Eagle Lake (Cariboo)
Eagle Creek areaEagle Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Cariboo region.
25. Green Lake (Cariboo)
70 Mile House areaGreen Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the South Cariboo.
26. Moose Lake (Cariboo)
Near Prince GeorgeMoose Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Prince George area.
27. Tabor Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Prince George areaTabor Lake offers rainbow trout fishing near Prince George.
28. Eena Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Prince George areaEena Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the northern Cariboo.
29. Salmon River (Cariboo)
Prince George areaThe Salmon River offers rainbow trout fishing in the Prince George region.
30. Cottonwood River (Rainbow Trout)
Near QuesnelThe Cottonwood River offers rainbow trout and salmon fishing near Quesnel.
31. Knewstubb Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Chilcotin regionKnewstubb Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the remote Chilcotin.
32. Big Stick Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Chilcotin regionBig Stick Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Chilcotin Plateau.
33. Anahim Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Chilcotin regionAnahim Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the west Chilcotin.
34. Turner Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Chilcotin regionTurner Lake offers rainbow trout and lake trout fishing in the Chilcotin.
35. McNair Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Chilcotin regionMcNair Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Chilcotin region.
Fishing Tips for the Cariboo & Chilcotin Region
- Get a licence -- Buy online at fishing.gov.bc.ca.
- Try the Horsefly River -- The Horsefly River sockeye run is one of the largest in North America. August is peak season.
- Explore Chilko Lake -- Chilko Lake offers some of the best fly-in trout fishing in BC.
- Bring insect repellent -- The Cariboo and Chilcotin have significant mosquito populations in early summer.
- Plan for remote travel -- Many Cariboo and Chilcotin fishing spots require travel on gravel roads. Check road conditions before heading out.
- Get a licence — All anglers 18+ need an Ontario fishing licence. Buy online at ontario.ca/fishing.
- Watch Great Lakes weather — Lake Erie is notorious for sudden, dangerous storms. Check marine forecasts before heading out.
- Hire a charter — For Lake Ontario salmon and Lake Erie walleye, chartered trips are the most productive option.
- Fish the Bay of Quinte in fall — September through November offers the best trophy walleye fishing in the bay.
- Try the Niagara River — The Niagara River offers year-round fishing opportunities unmatched in Ontario.
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